Lee County Crime & Safety

Lee County, Illinois

Safety Score

86/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

327.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

55.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

271.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

86/100

Higher = safer

State avg 70/100

State Safety Rank

#41

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Lee County, Illinois

Lee County maintains strong national safety standing

Lee County's total crime rate of 327.3 per 100,000 residents is roughly seven times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns an impressive safety score of 99.5, reflecting a very high level of security for its residents.

Exceeding the Illinois safety average

Lee County ranks well above the state average, outperforming the Illinois safety score of 98.7 with its own 99.5 rating. This ranking places it among the safer third of counties across the state of Illinois.

A secure choice in Northern Illinois

At 327.3 incidents per 100,000 people, Lee County is considerably safer than the state average of 835.0. It serves as a secure rural hub when compared to more urbanized neighbors in the northern part of the state.

Property crime dominates local reports

Property crime makes up the bulk of local activity at 271.8 per 100,000 residents, yet this remains well below the national property crime rate of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also notably low at 55.5, which is just a fraction of the national 369.8 average.

Stay vigilant in Lee County

While the numbers are low, most reported crimes in the county involve property theft or burglary. Investing in a smart doorbell or security cameras can provide an extra layer of protection to deter opportunistic activity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Lee County, IL?

Lee County has a total crime rate of 327.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (55.5 per 100K) and property crimes (271.8 per 100K).

Is Lee County, IL safe?

Lee County has a safety score of 86/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #41 out of 100 counties in Illinois for safety (1 = safest).

How does Lee County crime compare to the Illinois average?

What types of crime are most common in Lee County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Lee County?

Crime data for Lee County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

Why is Lee County safer than the Illinois average?

Lee County has a safety score of 86/100, which is above the Illinois average of 70/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.